Why should we care?

The red fox is one of the many species found in the boreal forest.

One of the last remaining ancient forests in the world, the Boreal is vitally important for the future of the Earth. Containing close to 40 per cent of the entire planet's carbon stocks, the forest plays a critical role in the fight against global warming.

Canada's Boreal forest ecosystem is over 10,000 years old, making it one of the last remaining ancient forests in the world.

The vast region is also home to the icons of our far north - woodland caribou, wolf, beaver, moose, and black bear and a diversity of birds, migratory ducks and geese.

The Boreal forests of Canada and Russia contain close to 40 per cent of the entire planet's carbon stocks and, therefore, play a critical role in the fight against global warming.

Freshwater is another important feature. The world's Boreal forests contain 80 per cent of the Earth's unfrozen freshwater.